"The Rhino Whisperer"
Trip Start
Jun 22, 2008
1
26
36
Trip End
Jul 31, 2008
Gulu,
Uganda
Saturday, July 19, 2008
vehicles make even Ford's Model T seem revolutionary. To our dismay, there was
no avoiding the Mutatus. Today was "Rhino Excursion Day." The Mutatus were the
best option for viewing these rhinos. After loading the vehicles with clothes
and cosmetics for one day in the jungle we took off on our trek.
I think Mutatus are like chiropractors. I dislike both
equally. There is a slight difference between the two however: While
chiropractors put kinks in your back and work them out later, Mutatus put
strain on your body indefinitely!
Deadly plan
! My body still aches from our ride. After 3 uncomfortable hours, our hell was over. The lodging awaiting us could not be MORE
PERFECT! Our accommodations comprised of cute "African style" rooms with beds
and electricity. Yes- JUST WHAT I NEEDED. They were the perfect escape from the
dorm life I had grown accustomed to back at Christ the King. I shared a room
with Allison and Sarah, my two favorite people on the trip. They flipped a coin
to see which of them got to share a bed with me. Allison won. It was only fair
given my make out "sesh" with Sarah the night before. After placing my
belongings at the foot of the bed we ran through the pouring rain to lunch two
buildings down.
If the rooms were "just what I needed," lunch was
"everything I have ever wanted." There was no posho, no beans, or any other
Ugandan food I had grown to hate
How cute right!
. Instead lunch consisted of salad, fruit and ameaty cheese dish!! It was American! I savored every bite and reminisced of the
home cooked meals I enjoyed as a child. I had seconds and then yes, even
thirds. I was satisfied. If asked to scrub the toilets I would oblige
willingly. Instead I was asked to observe rhinos in an authentic African
sanctuary. Grabbing my camera and back pack I found a seat in the back of a
Mutatu.
We took dirt roads to a nearby "viewing area." Here, we
unloaded the vehicle, anxious to see the once domesticated rhinos. After a 10
minute walk on the trail we saw them. My first rhino was not the most pleasant
sight. He was turned the opposite direction but was missing his tail. Or was
he? After asking the guide why the rhino had no tail he informed me that the
rhino was "taking a shit." Boy did I feel like a dumb ass (no pun intended).
His four friends soon joined him. Five rhinos!!! I took several pictures. Since
the rhinos did nothing but eat the grass, the pictures are not very
entertaining
Jane Goodall?
. I decided instead to create my own entertainment. There is avideo of me in approaching the rhinos in "camouflage;" another of me pretending
to be the "Rhino Whisperer;" and yet another of me applying war paint in
preparation of a "Rhino battle." They were silly yet hysterical. I even got the
guy with the semi- automatic weapon to laugh. It's always wise to be on the good
side of a man with a rifle.
After the rhinos we took the Mutatus back to our cabins
to prepare for dinner. Did I mention the showers I had been taking at Christ
the King? You know, the ones requiring both a Gerry can and an 8 ounce cup of
water. It had been 4 weeks since I had experienced a "real shower." Until now!
The water here pressure was adequate and the temperature warm
Rhino's in the distance
. I could havestood under the shower head for hours had it not been for the water shortage
Africa has experienced for decades. Nevertheless, it was five minutes of
complete ecstasy.
Feeling refreshed and content I joined the others for
dinner. Dinner was even better than lunch. Beef curry, rice, fruit and salad.
An eclectic mix of goodness! Dinner conversation included recalling our worst
accidents. My hockey accident topped all others: A hundred mile an hour slap
shot resulting in a severed ear and numerous stitches was hard to beat.
Our stories continued in the confines of our room.
Allison, Sarah and I shared stories that few others were privy to
Tailless?
. Allison hadthe most amazing story, and is the most AMAZING person because of it. She has
experienced the passing of her mother yet possesses the most incredible
strength. Following our conversation I was feeling nostalgic about the day: I
dined like a king, made friends with rhinos and developed friendships that
would last a lifetime.
Could tomorrow be better? We will see soon...
